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Mini Review: Twelve South’s ParcSlope gives your iPad Pro or any MacBook a little lift

Twelve South is probably best known for its extremely cute BookBook cases for MacBooks, for iPads and even for iPhones. But it offers a range of other products, including the ParcSlope MacBook stand released earlier this year. Designed for those who don’t want a full desktop docking system but want to raise both keyboard and screen to a more comfortable angle, the device is now seeing a new application: as a stand for the iPad Pro …

It’s a very simple, all-in-one unit. Essentially a single piece of aluminum, bent twice, and with rubber coatings where both the front and back of your device rests on it. It’s sized so that it works for anything from an 11-inch MacBook Air upward.

Although created before the iPad Pro was even confirmed, it could be made for the device, even allowing room to rest the Apple Pencil at the top.

When used with a MacBook, it holds the machine at quite a steep angle (18 degrees), which is necessary if it’s to lift the screen to any meaningful degree.

This does mean the keyboard is sloped rather a lot. When I first tried it, it felt very strange, but I have to say I did very quickly get used to it.

I’m unusual in that I don’t actually like a raised monitor. Indeed, when it came to having a desk made for my office, I actually had a cutout put in so I could drop the level of the monitor down to just above desk level.

But most people do prefer a raised screen, and the ParcSlope is a simple way to achieve it. It also keeps devices cooler by allowing air to circulate underneath. So if you’re looking for a simple way to lift a MacBook to a more ergonomic height on your desk, or want to lift an iPad Pro to the kind of angle many hold a sketchpad, the ParcSlope may well be for you.

The Twelve South ParcSlope costs $49.99. BookBook cases start at $39.98 for iPhones$59.75 for iPads and $79.95 for MacBooks.

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Comments

  1. Nick Donnelly - 9 years ago

    For a MacBook this is an ergonomic disaster. I wonder how many people who develop RSI after using it in this way will sue 12 South??

  2. ctyrider (@ctyrider) - 9 years ago

    Good grief.. Another unnecessary and overpriced accessory. Oh, but it’s made of “aluminum”!

Author

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Ben Lovejoy

Ben Lovejoy is a British technology writer and EU Editor for 9to5Mac. He’s known for his op-eds and diary pieces, exploring his experience of Apple products over time, for a more rounded review. He also writes fiction, with two technothriller novels, a couple of SF shorts and a rom-com!


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